Can STIs cause ectopic pregnancies?

Pregnancy can be stressful enough without having to worry about anything going wrong. However, sometimes a pregnancy doesn’t go the way we may want, and complications can occur.

Ectopic pregnancies are a not-uncommon complication of some pregnancies. They can occur on their own, but certain conditions can make them more likely. And STIs are a common culprit of this condition.

The connection between STIs and ectopic pregnancies may not be widely known, but research has shown that certain STIs can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. This is why understanding STIs and their potential complications is so important.

In this blog, we aim to shed light on this connection, empowering you with knowledge to take control of your sexual health.

Let’s get started.

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Understanding STIs: the unseen threat

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases, are infections that spread primarily through sexual activity, like vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and sharing sex toys. They are caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

What makes STIs so tricky is their ability to go undetected. Most STIs don’t produce any symptoms. When they do, some can produce symptoms that can easily be mistaken for other, less serious infections. And for infections that are so easily transmitted, they can cause a lot of damage to your health.

That’s why it’s so important for those who are pregnant to be vigilant about their health, especially around STIs.

Ectopic pregnancies: a closer look

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. This is why it’s sometimes referred to as a ‘tubal pregnancy’. However, ectopic pregnancies can also occur in other areas, such as the ovaries, abdominal cavity, or the cervix.

In an ectopic pregnancy, the growing embryo can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding, infection, and potentially life-threatening complications for the mother. Unfortunately, an ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed normally, and the embryo cannot survive.

While an ectopic pregnancy occurs less commonly than normal pregnancy, they’re not rare. According to the American Pregnancy Association, ectopic pregnancies occur in about 1 out of every 50 pregnancies.

Certain risk factors for ectopic pregnancies include:

A history of pelvic inflammatory disease
Previous ectopic pregnancy
Surgery in the pelvic area or fallopian tubes
Certain fertility treatments.

However, we want to talk about one of the main risk factors: STIs.

The connection between STIs and ectopic pregnancies

Certain STIs have been connected to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies.

These infections include:

These bacterial and parasitic infections infect the genitals and upper urinary tract. The overwhelming majority of these infections will exist in a silent state – that is to say, without systems. Even so, they may still be a cause of increased risk of ectopic pregnancy with the symptoms of the infections – which usually include unusual discharge from the genitals, itching and burning sensations, and pain during sex and urination – can also go on to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma may all have a role in causing PID. The other infections we mentioned are much more commonly found when we get tested, but are much less likely to cause any problems, and in fact, your doctor may not even want to treat them with antibiotics. But as you will see, PID caused by Chlamydia, for example, always requires treatment to avoid long-term problems.

PID is a condition which causes inflammation and scarring in the fallopian tubes. This scarring and inflammation can interfere with the egg’s ability to travel from the ovaries to the uterus, which can result in the egg implanting in the fallopian tube, leading to an ectopic pregnancy. This sounds dramatic, and women with PID may indeed have severe symptoms (abdominal pain, fever, etc), but it is just as common to have an active infection, like Chlamydia, in the fallopian tubes with minimal symptoms or even none at all. This is still a significantly worrying situation and increases ectopic pregnancy risk without being extremely unwell

Other complications of STIs and pregnancy

These STIs can also cause a whole host of other complications for pregnant women. These include:

Pre-term birth
Stillbirth
Passing on the infection to the infant during childbirth

Diagnosis and treatment of STIs

Most of the infections connected with ectopic pregnancies infect the urinary tract. Because of this, they can be detected with a simple urine or swab sample. Many of these infections can also be detected as part of larger screens.

Prevention: the best strategy

Preventing STIs, and by extension ectopic pregnancies, involves practicing safe sex.

This includes using condoms correctly every time you have sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, and getting tested regularly if you are sexually active.

Final thoughts: take control of your sexual health

Understanding the connection between STIs and ectopic pregnancies is the first step in taking control of your sexual health. Regular screenings, safe sex practices, and prompt treatment, if you do get infected, are your best defence against these health issues.

At Better2Know, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Schedule an appointment at your local sexual health clinic today.

Stay safe and get tested.